Live Proud: Former Service Member Overcomes Adversity To Live Her True Self

July 3, 2013

In honor of AT&T's incredible Live Proud campaign, we're highlighting the story of one of the company's LGBT employees, Sheri Hattan.

From a release:

Throughout her life, Sheri felt the need for acceptance from her family and peers--a common fear that many of us face, whether you’re straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, lesbian or questioning. A former Army Radio Operator and Mechanic, Sheri felt that she couldn’t embrace who she was while serving her country from 1987-1990, for fear of losing her job or being ostracized by those around her.

Despite adapting well to military life, hiding who she was proved too heavy a burden, so Sheri left the military after her first tour. Within a couple of months of returning to civilian life, Sheri finally had the courage to come out to her family. She recalls her mother’s teary reaction--“I’m not upset with who you are, I’m upset with the challenges you’re about to face from society.”

Sheri’s mother’s concerns sadly proved to be true. Just a few months later, Sheri says that she was fired from a job because her manager disapproved of her sexual orientation. Though this was something unexpected and discouraging, Sheri kept her head high and moved forward. Today, she is happily employed as a Customer Care Representative at the AT&T Call Center in Pueblo, Colo., helping customers each day.

From battling self-identity to societal acceptance, Sheri realized the importance of having a strong support system in order for her to move forward with her life. She joined LEAGUE at AT&T, an LGBT and allies employee organization and the oldest Employee Resource Group (ERG) in the country. More recently, Sheri was elected Vice President of the Colorado Chapter for LEAGUE at AT&T. Through her dedication to the organization and passion for helping empower the LGBT community, she hopes that one day others like her will know that they are not alone.